5/10/2021 Lexi Larson
Written by Lexi Larson
Peter Davis, a mechanical engineering junior from Naperville, Illinois, came to UIUC extremely passionate about the environment. As the first of his siblings to go into engineering, he chose UIUC because of the great engineering program and the campus environment. Davis even visited the popular Japan House during his first visit and is part of what drew him to the school. His path to engineering illustrates the different paths that are widely available to students here at the university.
During his freshman year, Davis decided to try his hand at research. In addition to doing research in the Energy Transport Research Laboratory, he also worked at various organizations. Over the summer he was able to experience the design and testing aspects of research at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in New Mexico. Davis also worked at the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC), which he was drawn to because of his curiosity with nuclear power and its relationship to energy and the environment. Thanks to his extensive experiences, he enrolled in upper-level courses, like heat transfer, already knowing much of the material going in “Research teaches you a lot,” Davis said.
Davis wanted to learn more about environmentally focused aspects of engineering through Illinois Solar Decathlon (ISD). This RSO competes in the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenge to design net-zero energy buildings. “The challenge shows how sustainable practices can be implemented so directly into our everyday lives,” Davis said.
He is currently the engineering lead for the design team of ISD, where his job is to keep the team on track and heading in the right direction. Davis also connects the team with faculty or outside organizations to review their design in order to get new perspectives on their project. He said his role has really developed into a systems position as he oversees the overall process. His favorite part of the team is that he gets to see students from different majors (architecture, civil, bioengineering, etc) come together to work on the project.
Recently, Davis discovered a new outlet for his environmental passions. After hearing about the Janelle Joseph Environmental Writing Contest through UIUC’s Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and the Environment (iSEE), he submitted an article, “Coal’s Dirty Secret,” which ended up getting published in iSEE’s Q Magazine. Davis said he enjoyed the opportunity so much that he is now considering taking an environmental writing class or pursuing the Institute’s Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Writing. In his free time Davis also likes to write articles for the Japan House. The topics range from Japanese concepts to aesthetics, and his articles connect back to the campus community.
Davis makes it no secret that he is passionate about UIUC, largely due to the relationships he has built with faculty. “I have been able to branch out into so many different areas of mechanical engineering and I have been supported at every turn,” he said.